Chelsea defensive duo named to FIFA shortlist, along with David Luiz

The Fifa FIFpro Worl XI nominations aren't usually good for much more than a few laughs, as we saw with the goalkeeper shortlist released earlier in the week including part-time goalkeeper Iker Casillas as one of the five finalists for the honor. On Wednesday, the 20-man shortlist for defenders was announced, and while there are quite a few solid options from which to choose, there are a few odd nominations included here as well.

We'll start with Chelsea, who had a pair of defenders shortlisted. Filipe Luis was in fine form last season for Atletico Madrid last season, and thoroughly deserved his spot on the shortlist. So too did Branislav Ivanovic, who has quietly become an absolutely indispensable part of Jose Mourinho's squad.

None of John Terry, Gary Cahill, or Cesar Azpilicueta were nominated, but former Chelsea player David Luiz found himself shortlisted despite barely seeing the pitch last season. Then there's Gerard Pique, who has been nothing short of atrocious when he actually makes Barcelona's starting lineup. The rest of the 20-man shortlist is as follows:

• David Alaba (Austria / FC Bayern München)
• Jordi Alba (Spain / FC Barcelona)
• Dani Alves (Brazil / FC Barcelona)
• Jerome Boateng (Germany / FC Bayern München)
• Daniel Carvajal (Spain / Real Madrid CF)
• David Luiz (Brazil / Paris St-Germain FC)
• Filipe Luis (Brazil / Chelsea FC)
• Diego Godin (Uruguay / Atlético Madrid)
• Mats Hummels (Germany / Borussia Dortmund)
• Branislav Ivanovic (Serbia / Chelsea FC)
• Vincent Kompany (Belgium / Manchester City FC)
• Philipp Lahm (Germany / FC Bayern München)
• Marcelo (Brazil / Real Madrid CF)
• Javier Mascherano (Argentina / FC Barcelona)
• Pepe (Portugal / Real Madrid CF)
• Gerard Pique (Spain / FC Barcelona)
• Sergio Ramos (Spain / Real Madrid CF)
• Thiago Silva (Brazil / Paris St-Germain FC)
• Raphael Varane (France / Real Madrid CF)
• Pablo Zabaleta (Argentina / Manchester City FC)